SC directs police not to arrest Ashis Nandy, warns him against making controversial remarks

New Delhi: In a major relief, the Supreme Court has directed the Rajasthan police not to arrest sociologist Ashis Nandy. The court has issued notices to the Rajasthan government, Maharashtra government, Bihar government and Chhattisgarh government seeking their response on whether the FIRs against Nandy can be quashed.

The court has, however, warned Nandy not to make controversial statements in the future. The court said that Nandy cannot be making statements like these whatever his intention be.

Meanwhile, the police can also go ahead with investigations and can question Nandy over his remarks on Dalits and corruption at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Jaipur.

Reacting to the court order, Nandy said he will be more careful while making comments in the future. "I'm grateful to the Supreme Court and the media and public who stood by me. I will be more careful while making comments in the future," Nandy said.

Nandy had moved the apex court seeking the quashing of an FIR filed against him under the SC/ST act. The Rajasthan Police had booked Nandy under a non-bailable section, which invites upto 10 years in jail. Last week, Nandy had allegedly linked corruption to Dalits at the Jaipur Literature Festival kicking up a controversy.

While he was slammed by politicians including BSP supremo Mayawati, writers and authors backed Nandy, claiming that he had been misunderstood. Nandy too clarified that he was making an academic argument about corruption being an equaliser and that his comment was misinterpreted. Dalit historian Kancha Ilaiah said that Nandy used wrong language for a right argument.

Nandy on Tuesday said that he was ready to go to jail. "If at 75, I am tried under the atrocities act and convicted then I'll go to jail, I'll not contest it because I have worked for Dalits and adivasis for 45 years and I am not going to take this insult. I will go to jail," he said.